Where to Go for a Memorable New Year's Eve

Chances are, if they're open on New Year's Eve, they're trying to lure you in with promises of bubbly and revelry and invocations of Prince songs which shall not be named. It's a little overwhelming trying to filter through the barrage sent out over the last week, so I've tried to boil it down to a roundup of best bets, depending on where your priorities lie, with a few equally-worthy back-up options in case you can't get that reservation.

If you want to remember the food:

Book Bindery

Talk of your impending New Year's resolutions just may have to wait while you ponder your crucial menu decisions: Should you have the hand-made tagliatelle, butternut squash ribbons, sage-brown butter emulsion and sauce Perigourdine – or carmelized sea scallop, bacon-onion jam, pomegranate and lobster bisque?? This will go on for four courses, so be warned, and enjoy. $125/person; bookbinderyrestaurant.com

Back-up plan:Lark's four-course party in your mouth, or The Herbfarm, with opera singers thrown in at no additional charge.

If you want to remember the drinks:

Canon

Each of the five menu courses will be sharing the stage with Jamie Boudreau's perfectly-paired poisons: Sliced pear salad with pine, shaved pecorino and mache comes with a cognac, poire William and dolin blanc cocktail; your ginger-molasses cookie ice cream sandwich will go down brilliantly with rye, averna, bitters and orange zest. $85/person; facebook.com/CanonSeattle

Slurp down a bowl of the reliably-great noodles at Lower Queen Anne's Pho Viet Anh and head to the Seattle Center's Center House, which is hosting a come-one-come-all free dance party with a live band that promises to deliver a “diverse musical mix that includes current hits plus popular dance, R&B, rock and old school from the ‘70s through the ‘90s.” seattlecenter.com/winterfest

Back-up plan: New Year's Eve at ART Lounge. The Four Seasons' party is only $30, and the late-night food cart serving up $5 bites can't be beat. artrestaurantseattle.com

If you want to remember the whole package:

The Coterie Room

McCracken & Tough's newest joint is teaming up with Gilt City to throw a party involving a four-course chef's menu with wine pairings, unlimited signature cocktails, a gift bag, party favors, a sweet treat at midnight, a photo booth, a VIP holiday party kit, valet parking, coat check and a DJ-hosted dance party for $175 per person. You can also sign up for a la carte versions of the dinner or cocktail parties for $95 and $125, respectively—but really, this is one of those go-big-or-go-home kind of affairs. giltcity.com/seattle/coterieroomnye

Back-up plan: Don't remember any of it. New Year's Eve at Linda's Tavern

If you want to remember the meaning of it all:

Fresh Bistro

Herban Feast's West Seattle outpost is fortifying guests for 2012 with a menu featuring foods that are considered lucky in different cultures around the world: greens, black eyed peas, fish, pork, cakes and grapes, which will all be incorporated into a four-course prix fixe menu with dishes like crispy sole almandine with Marcona almonds, Meyer lemon beurre blanc, Brussel greens and bacon braised black eyed peas. $59, plus $25 for wine flight. herbanfeast.com